The rise of Irish Paganism IrishCentral Contributor Ethan Rooney takes a look at how Ireland's cultural roots are being brought to the fore of modern-day contemporary life.

Irish pagans gathered at an ancient sacred site on Wednesday night to mark the festival of Samhain - a precursor of Halloween - with bonfires and a procession to honor the dead.

After six years he went back to Britain but returned to Ireland as one of the missionaries to convert Irish pagans to Christianity. At some point he adopted the Latin name Patricius.